BARRE TOWN — Sure, 2013 is more than a month old in the good old U.S. of A., but the “Year of the Snake” hasn’t yet started in China, where they’ll be ringing in the new year over the weekend.

They’ll have some help right here in Barre, where celebrating the Asian New Year has become something of a tradition thanks to the Friends of the Aldrich Public Library.

For the 12th straight year the group of library boosters will be holding its Chinese Banquet and Auction on Saturday at the Knights of Columbus hall on Pine Hill Road.

It starts with a social hour at 5 p.m.; dinner, courtesy of guest chefs Chet Briggs and Henry Huang, will be served at 6 p.m.

This year’s menu features appetizers ranging from Smoked Soya Eggs with Mandarin to Five-Fragrant Chicken with Szechuan Pepper Salt and dishes that include Braised Fish with Garlic and Bok Choy with Pepper Bacon.

We’re told you can find the complete menu on the library’s Facebook page (the URL is www.ow.ly/htWS6).

It won’t be all about the food Saturday night, because once dinner is done a live auction featuring a long and diverse list of items will begin. Proceeds from the dinner and the auction, which will be run by David Sanguinetti, will go to the library.

Tickets (they’re $25 apiece) are still available, though the number is dwindling and seating is limited to 160. We’re told reserving a table for eight is still an option, though the banquet typically sells out.

So, if you’d like a ticket or two (or eight?) just call the library at 476-7550 and make your New Year’s Eve (that’s what Saturday is in China) reservations.

Pie time

WATERBURY — There’s a whole lot of baking going on in Waterbury as local Rotarians prepare to turn the concept of “breakfast for dinner” on its head for the third straight year.

That’s right, it’s pie time in Waterbury, where it will be a sweet and savory mix of dinner and desserts for breakfast Saturday from 8 to 11 a.m. at the American Legion on Stowe Street.

They call it “Pie for Breakfast,” and they aren’t kidding.

There will be more than 100 kinds of pies — from chicken pie, shepherd’s pie and pizza pie to apple pie, blueberry pie and banana cream pie — served up during an all-you-can-eat benefit for the club’s youth exchange program.

How much does it cost?

Adults can indulge for $7, and it’s $5 for children 10 and under.

Puppet masters

BARRE — When it comes to explaining things, sometimes it’s best not to stray too far from the script. When it comes to the Bread and Puppet Theater, we’ve found that’s a rule worth remembering.

Want proof?

We give you “The Circus of Possibilitarians” — a show that we’re assured will go on at the Old Labor Hall on Granite Street on Feb. 14 (remember, that’s Valentine’s Day!) at 6 p.m.

The circus of what?

Our point exactly.

What we know for sure is admission is $5, soup and sourdough bread will be served before the puppets are unleashed, and for more information you can call 456-7456 or email info@oldlaborhall.com.

Here is what we’re told (verbatim because we really don’t want to mess this up): “The Circus of Possibilitarians is a satirical horse and butterfly circus, addressing pertinent national and international issues in a clownish fashion, including rotten ideas, a wild dancing horse and some mellow lions, a solemn salute to the world’s casualties and much more! The Dire Circumstance Jubilation Ensemble provides a little bit of brass and a lot of noise. Please take note that if some of the circus acts are politically puzzling to adults, accompanying children can usually explain them.”

Translation: If you’ve got kids, bring them. If you don’t, sit next to someone who does and enjoy the show.

Vacation getaway

MONTPELIER — If you don’t know what to do with the kids during school vacation, don’t despair: The Vermont History Museum will be putting on school vacation adventures.

On Feb. 27, the museum at 109 State St. will offer a program called “Art of the Civil War,” and on Feb. 28 the program will be “Vermont’s Natural Resources.”

The programs are for children 6 to 12 years old and include a visit to the museum’s exhibit “Freedom and Unity,” crafts, games and a snack related to the day’s topic.

The cost for each program is $8 per child or $6 for the child of a member of the Vermont Historical Society or families with three or more children. Preregistration is required by emailing vhs-education@state.vt.us or calling 828-1413.